Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Center of Excellence

Columbia University Irving Medical Center is a designated Lewy Body Dementia Research Center of Excellence (RCOE). The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness, supporting patients, and assisting in scientific advances in Lewy Body dementias, made this designation in 2017. Columbia was among the first group of such centers, now numbering 26 nationally, in which there are leading LBD clinicians to which LBD patients and their families can turn for advanced LBD diagnosis and treatment. LBD includes both Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia. The LBDA Research Center of Excellence is based in the Department of Neurology, Division of Aging and Dementia, and the Taub Institute. The Center includes eight neurologists, one psychiatrist, two nurse practitioners, two social workers, and clinical and research staff who work as a team to support patients and the LBD community. This team is committed to conducting LBD research, providing excellent LBD care, community outreach, and support. 

Click here to visit LBDA Official Site

Lewy Body Disease Association RCOE Leadership Team

LBD News

Current LBD Studies

Targeting Lewy Body Specific Pathology Using Biomarkers

This study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, is designed to allow us to better diagnose Lewy Body disorders.

  • Who can participate?
    • An individual may be able to take part in the study if they:
      • Have been diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies OR
      • Have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease with cognitive changes AND
      • They speak English or Spanish.
  • What is involved?
    • Participants will have up to three visits over two years.
    • Participants will have a comprehensive neurological evaluation.
  • Assessment of cognition and mood.
    • Donate blood samples.
    • Optionally donate cerebrospinal fluid samples.
  • To learn more information, please email Helen Mejia Santana at hm28@cumc.columbia.edu or call (212) 305-8873.
  • Principal Investigators: Drs. Karen S. Marder and Lawrence S. Honig.

Drug Studies

Outreach

Events

New events we host will be listed on the Department of Neurology's events calendar.